Assad: Syria gets messages from US-led coalition on airstrikes against Islamic State group

In this photo released on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad gestures during an interview with the BBC, in Damascus, Syria. Assad said in comments published Tuesday that his government has been receiving general messages from the American military about airstrikes targeting the Islamic State group inside Syria but that there is no direct cooperation. (AP Photo/SANA)
(The Associated Press)

In this photo released on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad smiles during an interview with the BBC, in Damascus, Syria. Assad said in comments published Tuesday that his government has been receiving general messages from the American military about airstrikes targeting the Islamic State group inside Syria but that there is no direct cooperation. (AP Photo/SANA)
(The Associated Press)

This photo released by WAM, the state news agency of the United Arab Emirates, shows an Emirati pilot in his F-16 at an air base in Jordan, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015. The United Arab Emirates launched airstrikes Tuesday targeting the Islamic State group, its official news agency said, marking its return to combat operations against the militants after it halted flights late last year. (AP Photo/WAM)
(The Associated Press)

BEIRUT – Syria's President Bashar Assad says his government has been receiving general messages from the American military about airstrikes targeting the Islamic State group inside Syria but that there is no direct coordination.

In an interview with the BBC aired Tuesday, Assad says the messages are conveyed through third parties, such as Iraq.

"Sometimes they convey message, general message, but there's nothing tactical," he said.

A U.S.-led coalition is conducting airstrikes in Syria as part of an international campaign against Islamic State extremists. They share the skies with Assad's air force, which also targets the militants.

In the interview, Assad denies his forces have used barrel bombs. The government's use of the crude explosive devices, usually dropped by helicopters, has been widely documented by international human rights organizations.